>>> also, as most know, making a trotting horse gait if he can't is VERY bad! Janice-
Yep, it sure is. I think the $64,000 question is when are we merely "expanding" their comfortable range of gaits (good), versus when are we trying to make them do something that's so difficult as to be potentially damaging for them - which is obviously bad. Unless you get all the extraneous factors out of the way, it will be VERY difficult to tell the difference. Some things that can really confuse the point are 1) poor saddle fit 2) stiff riders, 3) inappropriate bits and/or headgear, 4) poorly placed saddles, 5) tension, from physical or emotional pain... I don't think you can really know what gaits a horse is comfortable doing until these factors are fully addressed. Karen Karen Thomas
